Notes from Bea Flavin’s Lecture on Swarming 14/03/18

We had an excellent talk from Bea and received very useful information on how to try and stop our bees from swarming and what to do if we get a swarm. It was a very interactive session with lots of questions.

I have tried to give as much information as I had made notes on and I have taken the liberty to add video links which I have found useful.

Prevent Swarming

Why do bees swarm? Swarming is the bee’s natural method of reproduction so its always going to be difficult to control it. Imagine if we were to try controlling human reproduction?

Clip and mark the queen. Do this at first inspection if possible. Do around mid-day when foragers are out. Dont use smoke if possible as it will cause queen to run. Use crown of thorns…not the plastic variety. Dont press too hard. Yellow or white colours are easier to see. Keep Records

Do a Bailey Frame Exchange…see how in March Beachaire P141 and video link…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm_UBm4HEn4

Do an Artificial swarm… video link.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og00ZA_F6_Y and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD4aEls8I4E

Replace the queen in the autumn. Young queens are less likely to swarm.

Unite weak colonies.

Taking a Swarm: need a box, sheet, water spray, frame of comb, protective clothing, secateurs, loppers. Get bees into box and cover. Isolate them from your Apiary until tested and disease free. Run them into a nuc box by placing the sheet on the ground, empty bees on to it. They will run into the nuc box. Observe if there is a queen. Dont clip the queen because if its a virgin queen she she cant then go out to be mated. Be careful…there could be more than one queen. Leave only 1 queen. Fill the box with 1 frame of drawn comb and 4 frames of foundation and feed 1:1. Take a sample of bees and send to Mary Coffey for testing. Treat for varroa.

East Waterford Beekeepers Association

East Waterford Beekeepers’ Association (EWBA) represents the interests of beekeepers both urban and rural in County Waterford and south County Kilkenny. We provide education and advice, promoting responsible beekeeping and raising awareness of issues affecting bees.

What We Do!

Promote the importance of bees in the environment

Offer support to our members and beginners

Create awareness of the craft of beekeeping

Really important stuff

Does Your Swarm Look Like This?

Please feel free to contact us to help with the removal of any swarms you should find. We will gladly re-home your bees.